A/N: This is the first in a series of stories on the Heroes return to their homes just after Liberation. This story deals with Hogan and Carter together, but each will be getting their own turn as well. This installment was written in recognition of POW/MIA Day, September 15, 2017. Unfortunately, I wrote it in long-hand due to having no power during Hurricane Irma, and just now got it typed up. Don't worry, I am also hard at work on updates for my other stories, as well! Please enjoy "Home Fires: Bullfrog, North Dakota, Part One"

Chapter One

Bullfrog, ND

October 1945

Tuesday

Robert Hogan sighed with relief. Their long journey was almost over. At least, this leg of it was over. He nudged the pale, sleeping figure next to him. He hated to wake him, but he needed directions. "Andrew, hey, Andrew, come on, buddy, wake up!"

Blue eyes blinked at him in confusion. "We better get inside before ol' Klinky catches us! Think LeBeau's got some hot soup ready? I could sure use some!"

Hogan sighed. The doctors in New York had assured him the bouts with confusion on waking would ease up in time. Andrew just needed some time to get re-oriented. It was no wonder, after they had once again nearly lost him, ironically, after liberation.

In fact, Andrew had become desperately ill on the ship from London, with a mysterious bug that had ravaged many of the men over the course of a few days, and then, just as mysteriously, disappeared. It had left him weak, and even thinner than he had been when he left Germany. But, he had made it to New York, and his former commanding officer, one Robert Hogan, whom Andrew still insisted on calling "Colonel," rented a car and drove him home to Bullfrog. He would never have made it any other way.

Eventually, Andrew's confusion eased, and Hogan found his way out to the reservation. He had been amused and overwhelmed by the confusing mob of family that immediately embraced him as he helped them settle Andrew into the large farmhouse, and they had, in turn, been charmed by the dedicated officer and friend who had put the long-awaited reunion with his own family on hold for the good of one of his men.

He readily agreed to stay with them, since he was completely exhausted from the long drive from New York. He was not up to making the long drive to Bridgeport, Connecticut just yet, especially, since he would be making it alone. He had put in a collect call to his father just after he had arrived, to let his family know he had arrived safely, and that he would see him in about a week. He was impatient, of course, but it had been over six years since his last visit home. He could wait another week. Besides, Andrew's relatives were pouring in from all over…this could prove to be a very interesting visit!

Wednesday Morning

Andrew was laying on the sofa. He spent a lot of his time there, because it was centrally located, and he could rest while still being in the middle of things. His mother had just gotten him to eat a little bit of lunch and he had finally gotten her to go to take a nap.

His face suddenly darkened and Hogan knew what he was thinking.

It had been a bittersweet parting in London for Andrew and Hilda. They had married in Germany just before Liberation, in a brief ceremony two days before the Allies had arrived, using papers forged by Newkirk—a "gift" from the best man. To no one's surprise, Klink had not protested. He was much too concerned about his own skin at that point, and he figured anything that would keep his beautiful secretary safe was a good thing.

As he had done for Newkirk and Leticia, * Taffy Matthews had officiated. Hilda held the distinction of being the last traveler sent to London through Papa Bear's nearly-dismantled network. She was met by her twin sister Helga, who was living there with her husband and two sons. As it turned out, Helga had left her post with Klink to take a position in the London underground…and was later instrumental in helping Andrew smuggle Kinch into London after his escape from Stalag 13.**

It was after they were reunited in London that they hit a snag, when they discovered that there was a lot of red tape involved in Hilda being able to follow Andrew to the United States. There were heightened security concerns in Washington, since the war was so recently ended. As a result, Hilda was still in London, and they were both desperately worried about each other.

Hogan knelt beside his friend and laid his hand on his arm. Gently, he spoke. "You know London's doing their best. All the paperwork is in order. They just need get everything worked out on this end to get her here. But it will happen, Andrew. You need to believe that. And you know I will do everything I can to make it happen."

Tiredly, Andrew listened to Hogan's words, and nodded, but said nothing. He closed his eyes, and a few minutes later, his breathing evened out, and Hogan knew he had fallen asleep. He watched him for a few moments. Carter had always been the thinnest man in Barracks 2, but he had lost a lot more weight on the trip home to the States. He was just now starting to gain again. His mother had told him that his normal weight was somewhere around 160 pounds. It was hard to believe looking at him now. In fact, he would not have believed it, had he not seen the boot camp graduation photo that graced the bookshelf here in the family room. Right now, he would be lucky to tip the scale at 130.

He quietly left the room, and went out to sit in one of the rockers on the wide front porch. It was quiet out here, and he needed some time to just take in all that had happened in the last few weeks. The transition from prison to freedom was still a bit disorienting. As he shut the front door, he realized he was not alone. Sarah Carter, Andrew's older sister was occupying one side of the porch swing. He smiled at the lovely brunette. She looked like her brother, but was olive-skinned, with startlingly blue eyes and a petite but curvy build. She was the sort of girl he would normally have gone for in a heartbeat, but, well, she was Andrew's sister, after all…

He gave her a hesitant, but charming smile, and took a seat in one of the rockers. She smiled back, and they sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Hogan sensed that she was shy, and he did not want to push her, so he contented himself with rocking quietly, and letting Sarah guide the conversation when she felt ready.

His patience was rewarded when, a few minutes later, she spoke quietly. "Thank you, for bringing Little Deer back to us. I've missed him very much. We all have."

He turned towards her, and smiled gently. "It was no trouble at all. I sort of think of him as a little brother. But I can see he wasn't kidding when he said he had lots of family!" He chuckled.

Sarah smiled. "Oh, that is an understatement. He has the family here, and also the tribe…there are several hundred members there that he counts as family as well. We all take care of each other. It is our way. The way it has always been."

Hogan nodded. "The way it should be."

Sarah's eyes sparkled. "You understand! That's good! Not everyone does."

He cocked an eyebrow at her, as he thought of something. "You go by Sarah. Yet you call Andrew "Little Deer." Do you have a Lakota name?"

She smiled. "I do. I usually give my wasichu name to others. We have always been called by both names, although our mother mostly uses our Lakota names. Before you arrived, we all agreed to use only Little Deer's Lakota name, to begin his healing."

"Do you mind if I ask you what your Lakota name is?"

She chuckled. "I don't mind. In English, it translates to, "Rain Flower. My family and friends call me Rain."

He was momentarily speechless. Finally, he said, "That's beautiful! May I…may I call you Rain?"

"Of course, but I must admit," she smiled, "then I will feel a little silly calling you, 'Hogan!'"

He grinned. "My name is Robert. My friends usually call me Rob, although I doubt your brother will ever call me that!"

Rain tilted her head, and regarded him for a moment. "Rob. Yes, it is a good name. It suits you."

It was quiet for a while, and then Rain spoke again. "I, too, am waiting for someone."

He looked at her, understanding dawning. "Oh? Army?"

She smiled sadly. "Yes. Little Deer does not know. I met him after he was captured. And then, I went away to school for a while. That is where we met. In town. He was on leave, waiting to be sent over. And we fell in love. He was sent to Japan. We exchanged letters for about six months as often as we could. Things were getting bad for him. His letters stopped coming. I had hoped, by now…" her voice trailed away.

He usually didn't tell people about his father, but he wanted to try to help. "Look, my father is a retired Army general. I bet he could help us find out what happened. The war in Japan hasn't been over all that long. He may still be in transit. Look how long it took us to get back. If he was taken prisoner, it could take a lot longer to process out. If you give me whatever information you have, I'll try to help."

Rain looked deeply into his eyes, and he suddenly realized he couldn't look away. Her expression was solemn. "You are a good man, Robert Hogan. You truly are chiye. One meaning of that word is 'older brother.' But the meaning is deeply layered. You are honorable and caring. Others look up to you and you would die for them, and they for you. This is 'chiye.' My brother is blessed."

She rose from her place on the swing, and silently walked back into the house, shutting the door quietly. Hogan stared after, shocked that she was aware of so much after only one short conversation. He knew Andrew had never said a word about their operation. He was also a little envious of the extraordinary family of which Andrew Carter was a part. He was pretty sure Andrew was the blessed one. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

~TBC~

A/N: *See my stories "Earthquake" for the story of Newkirk and Leticia and "The Demise of Daisy" for the story of Hilda and Carter. ** See my story "Three Ring Circus" for my take on why Kinch left HH. Hilda and Andrew's wedding is briefly touched on in that story as well.